Friction-grip.



Patented Aug. 7, I900. H. M. SACKETT.

FRICTION GRIP.

(Application filed July 30, 1897. Renewed June 25, 1900.)

(Ho Model.)

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' NITED STATS PATET OFFICE.

HOMER M. SACKETT, OF DENVER, COLORADO,

FRICTION-G RIP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,519, dated August '7, 1900.

Application filed July 30, 1897. Renewed June 25, 1900. $erial No. 21,572. (No model.)

To alt whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOMER M. SACKETT, of Denver, in the county of Arapahoe, and in the State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Friction- Grips; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is atop plan viewof mygrip; Fig. 2, a bottom plan view thereof with the covering-plate removed; Fig. 3, aviewpartly in section and partlyin end elevation, and Fig. 4 a view partly in section and partly in side elevation.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, safe, easily-operated, and efficient grip for use in attachingcars, buckets, skips, or other objects to be moved to a moving or running rope or cable; and to this end said invention consists in the grip having the features of construction substantially as hereinafter specified.

In the carrying of my invention into practice I employ a frame A, having a cylindrical opening in which is fitted ahollow casting B, whose lower end is open'and whose upper end is closed and provided with a flange b, that overhangs and rests upon the top of the frame A. The lower end is removably closed by a cap or cover 0, that has an annular flange encircling said end and fastened thereto by bolts D and D. The upper edge of said flange abuts against the lower end of the frame A, and as the casting-flange 12 engages the upper end of the frame A said casting is firmly held from longitudinal movement or movement in an axial direction, although free to turn or revolve within the frame-opening.

The parts A, B, and O are preferably caststeel.

To the vertical face of a boss -or block E, formed on the top of the part B, is fastened by bolts or otherwise a plate F, having a groove in its side to engage one side of the rope or cable, said plate being one of the gripping-jaws of the device and being a fixed one. To adjust said jaw to work on ropes or cables of different size, shimming-plates of copper or other material are placed between the same and the boss or block E, by the addition or removal of which the position of said jaw may be changed.

A movable jaw G is attached to the upper end of a lever H, that is pivoted upon a pin 1, between ears K and K, cast on the top of the part B, the lever being carried beneath its pivot into said part and at its lower end pivoted to one end of a link L by a pin M, the other end of which link is pivoted by a pin N to two parallel links 0 and O, which are pivoted on a pin P, passing througha boss or lug Z), projecting inward from the side of the part B. The links L and 0 constitute a compound lever or toggle. Oonnected to the pin N, that pivots the links of the toggle together, are the lower ends of two parallel links Q and Q, to and between Whose upper ends is pivoted on a pin R the lower end of an upwardly-extending lever S, that is pivoted on a pin T, between ears or lugs cast on the top of the part B. By means of said lever S the grip is opened and closed.

When the movable jaw is in gripping position, the centers of the pivots M, N, and P are in a straight line, and the centers of the pivots N, R, and Tare also in a straight line, with the upper parts of the links Qand Qengaging the lower end of the jaw-lever H, so as to limit the swing of the operating-lever S in the direction for closing the jaw when said centers N, R, and T are in line. It will be seen that by the placingin line with each other of the centers, as described, the movable jaw is thereby locked or held in gripping position without the intervention of springs, catches, or other lock devices.

Any tendency of the jaw-lever to open will be opposed by the alining of the three centers M, N, and P, and any tendency of the toggle to move will be opposed by the alining of the three centers N, R, and T.

To release the grip, the lever S is moved down to the position shown in Fig. 3. In such movement it raises the links Q and Q and lifts the connected ends of the toggle, swinging the end of the link L that is connected to the jaw-lever H toward the fixed pivot of the links 0 and 0 until said link L strikes the pivot-1n g b and the movement is arrested, with the various parts in the position shown by dotted lines, Fig. 3. The weight of the p0rtion of the lever S above its pivot is sufficient to counterbalance the weight of the other part of it and the parts connected therewith, so that there is no tendency of the parts, due to their weight when in the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 3, to move and accidentally close the movable jaw. Thus, as when the grip is closed, no locking devices of any description are required to hold the grip in an open position, and in each position the parts are in readiness to instantly respond to the movement of the operating-lever S.

It will be not-ed that the movement of parts to each position is limited by utilizing the links themselves as the stopping means.

Although the casting or part B is free to turn in the opening in the frame A to enable the grip to adapt its position to the angle or direction in which the rope or cable may be running, yet when the rope or cable is released there will be no tendency of the part B" to thus turn, because the location of the parts and the disposition of the metal are such as to place the center of gravity below the center of the device.

In closing the movable jaw the movement of the jaw, by reason of the peculiar arrangementof links connecting the operating-lever S and the jaw-lever II, is at first comparatively rapid, becoming gradually slower, but with an increase of power, the greatest power being exerted at the time of gripping or taking hold of the rope or cable.

The compact arrangement of the levers, which I have secured, enables such complete housing thereof within the casting B and the cover-plate C that they are thoroughly protected from dirt and weather.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a grip, the combination of a pivoted jaw, a toggle pivotally connected therewith at one end, and at the other end to a relativelyfixed point, a link connected to the toggle between its ends, and a lever connected to said link, that moves the toggle through the link to bring the toggle ends toward each other to open the jaw, and to move said ends from each,

other to close said jaw, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a grip, the combination of a jaw to be moved, a toggle connected therewith, a link connected with the toggle, and a lever connected with said link, the pivotal centers of the lever and the link, being adapted to be placed in a straight, or substantially straight, line to form a lock, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a grip, the combination of jaw-actuating mechanism, and a chambered part, within which such mechanism is mounted, inclosing and protecting the same, having one end permanently closed and carrying a fixed jaw, and the other end closed by a removable cover, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In a grip, the combination of the jaws, the jaw-actuating mechanism, and a revoluble support therefor, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In a grip, the combination of a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, means for actuating the latter, a cylindrical casting or part, on which all of said parts are mounted, and a frame in which said casting is revolnbly mounted, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of July, 1897.

HOMER M. SACKETT. l/Vitnesses:

W. L. AUSTIN, THOMAS L. WILKINSON. 

